Machine for making helically-grooved actuating members for steering gears



1,687,260 ING MEMBERS Oct. 9, 1928.-

D. E. ROSS MACHINE FOR MAEQNG HELICALLY GROOVED ACTUAT FOR STEERING GEARS Filed March 26, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet Oct. 9, 1928. v I 1,687,260

D. E. ROSS MACHINE FOR MAKING HELICALLY GROOVED ACTUATING MEMBERS FOR STEERING GEARS Filed Marph 26, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 1,687,260 TING MEMBERS E. MACHINE FOR MAKING HELICALLY GROOVED AC D. ROSS TUA FOR STEERING GEARS Filed March 26, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet r If 2 WW M s W m Oct. 9, 1928. 1,687,260

' D E ROSS- MACHINE FOR MAKING. EL'ICALLY GROOVED ACTUATING'MEMBERS FOR STEERING GEARS Filed March 26, 1924' 4 Sheets-Sheet 4' Patented Oct. 9, 19 28.

UNlTED STATES DAVID E. ROSS, OF LA FAYETTE, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO ROSS GEAR &

PANY, OF LA FAYETTE, INDIANA, A CORPORATION OF INDIANA.

A 1,687,260 NT QFFIc TOOL GOM- PATE MACHINE FOR MAKING- I-IELICALLY-GROOVED ACTUATIN MEMBERS FOR STEERING GEARS.

Application filed March 26, 1924. Serial No. 702,668.

This invention is a novel machine for use in the manufacture of steering gear actuating-members having varying helical grooves, of the character shown and described in my application for steering gear 'filed Sept. 5, 1922, Serial No. 586,145.

Such actuating members are each formed on or connected to the steering gear shaft and the helical groove therein is engaged by an arm on the rocker shaft lying at right angles to the steering shaft; whereby when such an actuating member is turned on its axis the related rocker shaft is rocked with accelerating motion by the movement of the arm from a position at the center of the length of such groove toward either end of the groove. Such helical groove has a pitch of approximately 90 degrees at the center of its length, (or point where the steering shaft is in normal straight ahead running position of the gear) and progressively lessens in pitch from such center point toward each end thereof; such varying groove causing an increasingly accelerated movement of the rocker shaft as the arm thereon moves from the position of engagement with the center of such groove toward either end thereof; as more fully explained in my aforesaid application.

The groove in such actuating member has to be made with exceeding nicety and ac curacy; andv the object of my present invention is to provide'a machine whereby after a blank for an actuating member has been shaped to the proper size and form, such variable helical groove may be accurately cut therein.

I will explain the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate one practical embodiment of the invention; and refer to the claims for the summaries of the essentials of the invention, and the novel combinations of parts, and novel features of construction, for all of which protection is desired.

In said drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of so much of the machine as is necessary to a full understanding of the invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged front elevation of part of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a rear elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail section on the line 4-4l of Fig. 7.

Figs. 5 and 5 are enlarged perspective views of the connection. between the master cam and its driving means.

Figure 6 is a sectional view on the line 6-6 Fig. 1.

Figure 7 is a sectional view on the line 77 Fig. 1.

Figure 8 is an enlarged view of the blank holding devices.

Figure 9 is a longitudinal section through Fig. 8.

Figure 10 is a detail sectional View on the line 101O Fig. 7.

The mechanism shown may be mounted on a support 1 of any suitable construction such as the frame of an ordinary turning lathe. Upon this supporting frame is mounted a head stock 2, and a tail stock 12. Said stocks may be mounted upon-rails l of the supporting frame in any suitable way so as to be'relatively adjustable toward or from each other, and may be firmly held in any adjusted position, by any suitable means. The-head stock 2 carries a shaft 2 which is provided. with means hereinafter describedfor engaging and supporting one end of a blank B from which the actuating member is made.

The shaft 2 is preferably rotated as hereinafter explained so as to turn the blank B. The tail stock 12 is provided with the usual manually adjustable center screw 12, and the actuating member blank B is centered between the head and tail stocks during the operation ofvcutting the groove preferably as hereinafter explained.

Upon the frame 1 intermediate the head and tail stocks is mounted an adjustable supporting plate 18 on which is mounted (to slide longitudinally thereof) a frame 8 which is bodily adjustable backward or forward on the .base plate 18. As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, slide 8 has longitudinally disposed dove-tail side members 8 which engage oppositely disposed dove-tail guides 18 on the base plate 18; and slide 8 has a nut, or internally threaded sleeve portion 8 (F ig.'10) which is engaged by a screw shaft 18 rotatably but longitudinally immovably supported in bearings 18 on the base plate 18. Said screw shaft 18 is pro- 60 1 and 6'which meshes with a worm 3 on a shaft 3 which is journaled in bearings in the ward on plate 18.

' gaged by trunnions 9, member 9P, which carries the cutter shaft and which rocking member can'tilt on said The slide 8 is provided at its ends with bearings 8 and 8 (Fig. 7) which are en- 9 on a rocking trunnions, and is adapted to be bodily oscillated or rocked to the right or left, or

laterally on said frame. p

This'rocking member 9" has a longitudinal radial projection 99, on its upper side in which is journaled a spindle'lO which is rotatably but longitudinally immovably mounted on the rocking member 9 and carries on its front end a cutter 10 and may have a thrust. bearing 10 of any suitable construction, on its rear end abutting against a stud 9 -0n the rocker member 9,,

as shown. v

' The cutter 10 is preferably a milling cutter. The spindle 10 may be rotated by any suitable means. Preferably a pulley 10 thereon is driven by a belt 10 from a suitable overhead driving pulley (not shown).

This rockingv member 9 has a projection 9 onits rear end spaced from the pulley 10 to permit the master cam C, hereinafter referred to, to lie between said projection 9" and the end of said spindle 10. This mastercam is securely held in position as hereinafter explained.

This master camC has a variable helical cam groove m cut therein, (see Fig. 1) said cam groove on determining the shape of the helical groove cut in the actuating members B. The groove on in the master cam C is engaged by a pin or plunger 11. This pin 11 is contained in the socket in a member '9 on or rigidly attached to the part 9 and pin 11 is preferably normally projected outwardly so as to. properly engage the groove m in the master cam C by means of an adjusting screw 11 (see Fig. 4), abutting against theinner end of the pin or plunger 11, so as to hold the pin always in close engagement with the groove on in the mastercam and prevent any lost motion or chatter.

When the master cam C is rotatedas hereinafter explained, it will cause the rocking member 9 to swing or oscillate laterally on the frame 8, and thus cause the cutter 10 to move through an arc lengthwise of the blank BQ Preferably the master cam C and the blank B are positively rotated in unison by the following means: On the spindle 2 is a worm gear 2* Figs.

head stock 2. This shaft 3 extends at right angles to the spindle 2 and its rear endis 'ournaled in bearings 8, 8 on a bracket or spiral gear ,a varying helical groove m, as

shaft 3 meshes Wlth a worm gear"? on a shaft 7 journaled in hearings on the ex-' tension 8 as shown; and shaft 7 is coupled to a member 7 b which drives the master: cam C-as hereinafter explained. I

On the shaft 3 intermediate the gears 3 and 3 is a spiral gear 3 which meshes with a 4? on a shaft 4 which .lies at right angles to shaft 3 and is journaled in bearings on a bracket 5. This ,shaft 4 has a worm gear 4 which mesheswith a worm 6 on a shaft 6 journaled in suitable bearings attached to the bracket 5 to one side of, and below the shaft 3, and extending at right angles to theshaft l, and parallel to shaft 3. Shaft 6 may be driven by any suitable means, As'shownit has a stepped conepulley 6 which can be belted to any suitable shaft 4. This shaft 7 is adapted to drive the master cam C and is preferably operatively connected therewith as hereinafter described. The master cam G is preferably made as described in my application for patent, filed March 26, 1924, "Serial No.

702,067, and is in the form of a cylindrical body C Fig. 1 provided with axially disposed trunnions m and m at its opposite ends, and the body of this cam is provided with described in which groove conforms in pitch and contour with the groove to be formed in the actuating membersB as hereinafter explained.

my said application,

Preferably, the trunnions of the master cam are mounted in bearings 8 8? on the slide 8 so that the master cam when in po sition will lie between the rear end of the shaft 10 and the bracket Won the rockingmember 9 and the groove m' in the master cam G can be engaged by the pin 11 as hereinbefore described.

The inner trunnionm, ofthe master cam is preferably provided with an extension Fig. 5 which has a plurality of longitudinally tapered splines 7 6 (Fig. 5 which are adapted to telescopically engage a corresponding series of grooves 7 formed in a coupling member 7 (Fig. 5) on the adjacent end of the. shaft 7 This connection makes an absolutely positive drive connection be tween the shaft 7 and the master cam G.

The body of the. blank B for the actuating member is preferably truly cyclindric as shown (Figs. 8 and 9) and of the proper size and diameter; and the blank has a reduced ortion b? at each end, and shoulders I) .(see igs. 8 and 9) at the junction of the reduced portions with the body; which shoulders are adapted to fit against the thrust bearings; in'the gear housing (not shown) when the actuating member is assembled in the gear housing.

Preferably one reduced end 6 of the blank is fitted into a socket member 20, (Fig. 9) which has a tapered shank 20 adapted to engage a tapered recess'in the spindle 12 on the tail stock 12, and the dther reduced end 6 of the blank 13 is inserted in an opening in a head 21 attached to the spindle 2.

The head 21- is provided with a'rib 21 to engage the shoulder b, (Fig. 9) and the end of the head 21 is conical as indicated at 21 and it is providedwith radially disposed series of clamps 22 which pass through radially disposed slots in the head 21, and their ends are adapted to engage the part b of the blank; and their outer ends are beveled and engaged by the beveled inner face23 of a flange 23 on a collar 23 surrounding thehead 21 and screwed on the threaded part 21 of said head, as shown in Fig. 9. ITurning the collar 23 in one direction Will cause the opposed beveled faces of the flange 23 and clamps 22 to engage and cause the clamps to positively bite the trunnion b of the blank B and cause it to turn with the spindle 2% By turning the collar 28 in the opposite direction the clamps 22 -willr.e3lily disengage from the blank B.

While I- prefer to use the means described to cause the blank to turn With the spindle 2 'any other suitable means might be em ployed. X i

The head 21 is preferably adjustable longitudinally of the head spindle 2;.being shown as having a shank 21 non-rotatably fitted into a suitable socket in the end 2 of the spindle 2 and theshank maybe adjusted longitudinally ofthe spindle2 and held by means of a nut 2 mounted on the threaded portion 21 of the shank and-abutting againstthe end of part2 of the spindle 2. By having the head, 21 adjustable lon gitudinally of the spindles 2 and\the center 12 also adjustable, the blank B can be adjusted longitudinally and relative to the axis of the rocking support 9", so that the .true longitudinal center of the blank will be directly in line with and above the true center on which the rocking support 9 is mounted.

This means and manner of centering the blank B in the machine insures that the grooves in the actuating memberB will be cut uniformly and accurately, andthe completed actuating member will fit truly and accurately in the gear casing when assembled therein.

An index segment 9' (Figs. 13-7-10) is adjacent relative to the length of. the groove to be cut in the actuating member at any time. lVhen the pointer 9 points to the center mark 0 on the index plate the cutter would be at or in line with the exact center of the arcuate movement of the cutter. When the rocker member 9" is shifted to the-right or left, the mark in the index plate opposite the pointer will show in what position the cutter 10 lies relative to the blank during the setting up operation, and show how much of the groove has been cut. j

The cutter 10 is preferably a milling cutter, made'of'thehighest grade of cutting steel, and preferably corresponds exactly in elevation to a cross section ofthe groove to be cut in the blank B. The blanks for the actuating member ,are accurately formed and .finished except for the helical groove before When the machine is properly assembled, the master cam C will be in the position described; and the blank is properly positioned as indicated in Figs. 127-8 and9. The slide 8 andsupport 18. are relatively adjusted so that the longitudinal center of the cylindric portion of the blank B or the longitudinal center of the helical groove, to be formed in the blank is directly opposite the longitudinal center of the groove 172- in the master cam C.

The slide 8 is manipulated to retract the cutter 10 out of the way of the blank B before the latter is placed in position for cutting.

After a blank B is properly positioned and centered between the head and tail stocks 2 and 1-2, opposite to and parallel with the aiister cam C as above des'cribed, the operator turns the rocker member 9 to one side until the pin 11 is shown to be in the right position on dial see Fig. 10 or so positioned at one end of the groove in the master cam, as to bring the cutter 1O directly opposite the portion of the actuating member blank B, wherein the correspondingend of the groove is to be cut.

The cutter spindle 10 is then revolved, but the blank B is held stationary between the centers and the master cam is also held from rotating. while the operator (by manipulating slide 8) advances the cutter 10 toward the blank B until the cutter has been entered to the proper depth into the blank B.

To facilitate entering of the cutter into the blank a suitable hole might be'drilled in fiber blank 13 are rotated in exact unison;

' ning,

The cutter 10 is continuously driven at proper speed, during the cutting of the spiral groove inthe blankB; and both the master cam C and the blank 13 are turned very slowly at a predetermined relatlve *speed; and the combined effect of the rotation of the master cam C, of the actuating member blank B, of the cutter 10 on its spindle, and of the lateral movement of the cutter 10 caused by the rocking of the member-9 (by the pin 11 engaging the groove min the master cam C) results in cutting a helical groove in the blank B exactly corresponding tothe groove in the master cam.

The master cam is so formed that beginsay, at the left hand end of .the groove, the revolving cutter is made to traverse a path fromleft to right with gradually decreasing rate of movement until it reaches the longitudinal center p int of thelength of the groove,'and from Such central point on to the right-hand end of the groove the cutteris made to traverse a path with a gradually accelerated rate of movement with the result that the longitudinal center in the blank has a,

of the helical groove cut pitch practically of 90 to the axis of the blank, and the pitch of the groove gradually increases from such center toward each end of the groove, being of highest pitch at the ends of the groove.

' the combination of meansfor holding and What I claim is: 1. In a machine of the the combination of means for holding and rotating an actuating member blank, a rotatable cutter; means for relatively moving the cutter. and blank to cause the cutter to enter or Withdraw from the blank; and means including a master cam whereby. the cutter is moved at variable speed laterally on an are extending longitudinallyof the blank, during the cutting operation, wherebya spiral groove is cut in the blank.

,r 2 In a machine of the character specified,

rotating an" actuating member blank, a rotatable cutter; means for relatively movmg the cutter and blank to cause thecutter to enter or withdraw from'the blank; and

a master cam, and means whereby the cutter is moved laterally at variable speed onv an are extending longitudinally of the blank during the. cutting operation, whereby a variable spiral groove is cut in the blank,

character specified,

3. In a machine of the character specified, I

a master cam, means for holding a master cam, means for holding and rotating an actuating member blank, a rotatable cutter; means for relatively moving the cutter and blank to cause-the cutter to enter or withdraw from the blank; and means whereby the cutter is moved-laterally on an are extending longitudinally of the blank during the cutting operation whereby a spiral groove is out in the blank.

4. In a machine of the character specified, a master cam, means for holding and rotating a master cam, means for holding and r0- tating anactuating member blank, a rotatable cutter; means for" relatively moving the cutter and blank to cause the cutter to enter or withdraw from the blank; and means whereby the cutter is moved laterally on an are extending longitudinally of the blank, during the cutting operation whereby a variable spiral groove is cut in the blank.

5. .In a machine of the character specified, means for holding and rotating a master cam, means for holding and rotating an actuating member blank; a rotatable cutter;

a support for said cutter; means for relatively moving the cutter and blank to cause the cutter to enter or withdraw from the blank; meansv on the support engaging the master cam whereby the cutter is moved laterally on an are extending longitudinally of the blank, whereby a spiral groove is formed in the blank.

' 6. In a machine of the character specified, means for holding and rotating a master cam having a variable spiral groove; means for holding and rotating an actuating mem* ber blank; a rotatablecutter; a support for said cutter; means for relatively moving the cutter and blank to cause the cutter to enter or withdraw from the blank; on the support engaging whereby the cutter is moved laterallyand longitudinallyof the blank on arrar'c, where by a variablespiral groove is formed in the blank.

cam; means for holding and rotating an actuating member blank; a rotatable cutter;

a rocking support for said cutter; means for moving the cutter longitudinally toward or from the blank to cause the cutter to enter or withdraw from the blank, and means on the support engaging the master cam, where by the support is rocked to move the cutter laterally on an arc'extending longitudinally of the blank. 7

8; In a machine as set forth in claim 7 an indexing plate attached to the rocker sup port; and a relatively fixed index finger beside said plate, substantially as described.

9. In a machine of the means for holding and rotating a master ea'ns' the master cam character specified,

30 of the blank,

cam; means for'holding and rotating an, actuating memberblank parallel with the. master cam; a rotatable cutterarranged at. right angles to the master cam and the blank; a rocking support for-said cutter; means for relatively moving the cutter and blank to cause the cutter to enter or withdraw fromthe blank, and meaiis on the support engaging the master cam,-whe reby the 1 1 support is rocked to move the cutter laterally on an arc longitudinally of the blank.

10. In a machine as set forth in claim 9,

' an indexing plate attached to the rocker support, and a relatively fixed index finger be side the said plate, substantially as described.

11. In a machine of the character specified, means for holding and rotating a master cam having a variable spiral groove; means for holding and rotating an actuating member blank parallel with the master cam;

a rotatable cutter arranged at right angles to l and between the master cam and the blank; a rocking support for said cutter; means for moving the cutter longitudinally .toward or from the blank to cause the cutter to enter or withdraw from the blank;,a nd means on the support engaging the grooved master cam whereby the support is rocked to move the cutter laterally on an arc longitudinally whereby a variable spiral groove is formed in the blank.

; 12. In a machine as set forth in claim 11,

an indexing plate attached to the rocker support, and a relatively fixed index finger besidesaid plate, substantially as described.

13. In a machine of the character specified, means for holding and rotating an actuating member blank, a master cam having trunnions whereby it is supported in position, a driven shaft in axial alignment with the master cam, and a slidable spline and groove connection between one ,of the trunnions of the master cam and the end of said driven shaft, a rotatable cutter; means for relatively moving the cutter and blank to cause the cutter to enter or withdraw from the blank; and means whereby the cutter is moved laterally longitudinally of the blank during the cutting operation whereby a spiral groove is cut in the blank.

14. In a machine of the character specified,

means for holding a master cam, means for holding a cam blank parallel with and adjacent the master cam, a rocking member mounted between the cam and blank, a rotatable cutter mounted in said rocking member and movable'therewith, means for rotating the cutter; a shaft for rotating the cam; a rotatable spindle for rotating the bl a driven shaft, and worm gearing between said driven shaft and the cam driving shaft, and between said driven shaft and said spindle, whereby the spindle and cam may be rotated in unison.

15. In a machine of the character specified, means for holding a. master cam; means for holding a cam blank parallel with and adjacent the master cam, a rocking membermounted between the cam and blank, means for adjusting the rocking member longitudinally between the cam and the blank, a rotatable cutter mounted in said rocking member and movable therewith, means'for rotating the cutter, a shaft for rotating the master cam. a rotatable spindle for rotating the blank, a driven shaft and worm gearing between said drivenshaft and the cam driving shaft and the said spindle, whereby the spindle and cam may be rotated in unison.

16. In a machine of the character specified, means for holdinga master cam having a variable spiral groove; means for holding a cam blank parallel with and adjacent the master cam; a rocking member mounted between thecam andblank, means for adjustingthe rocking member longitudinally between the cam and the blank; a rotatable cutter mounted in said rocking member and movable therewith; means for rotating the cutter; means on'the rocking member engaging the spiral groove in the cam; a rotatable shaft for rotating the master cam; a

rotatable spindle for rotating the blank; a-

driven shaft; and worm gearing between said driven shaft and the cam drlving shaft,

and between the said driven shaft and the said spindle whereby the spindle and cam may be rotated in unison.

-In testimony th'at'I claim the foregoing as my own I alfix my signature.

DAVID E. Ross. 

